so I will take them up.”

He leaned upon the fence as he spoke, fluttering the leaves of the book with his fingers. He was a tall, spare man with a pale, studious face; but there was something about him that was forceful and ready; an opponent would never find him at a loss for either words or actions.

“Can you deny that a spirit of unrest is abroad?” demanded old Stephen, planting the iron-tipped staff in the road. “Can you deny that a rebellion is being fostered against a generous prince? Can you deny that the irresponsible firebrands in New England are arming against their lawful rulers?”

[12]“I shall not deny anything that you charge,” replied Mr. Cooper sternly, “I shall only say that it is all true, and further add that I am greatly pleased to be able to say it.”

[12]

“Take care,” cried the old man, his gaunt, once powerful frame quivering with resentment. “Take care, Robert Cooper. You and your like are sowing seeds of sedition that can be reaped only by the bayonets of the king’s regiments. You can flaunt your scandalous theories of liberty in the faces of your neighbors, but when the time for reckoning comes you may not seem so ready.”

“I think,” replied Mr. Cooper, calmly, “that when it does come, the reckoning will find me ready enough.”

Old Stephen lifted his staff and shook it tremulously to the southward.

“The broth that those vipers brew in Philadelphia,” declared he, “will be the death of them!”

“Those sent by the different colonies to this Congress that is to meet,” said Robert Cooper, “are honest American gentlemen. They have wrongs that require redressing and[13] they chose this means, as the best they know, of procuring the remedy.”

[13]

“It is a threat,” maintained the old man. “They are shaking a sword in King George’s face. Why do they not beg redress of wrongs like dutiful subjects, and not come together like a lot of skulking rascals?”

“The time for begging has gone by,” said Mr. Cooper. “From now on the colonies will demand—and in a voice not to be mistaken. We have submitted too long; the king is an ignorant old man surrounded by incompetents. There have been no more faithful subjects than those of America; but they will not permit themselves to be plundered. If we are to be taxed we desire a voice in the government 

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